The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to strengthen their support for the ongoing cleanup and restoration of Ogoniland.
HYPREP’s Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, made the call in Port Harcourt during the 2026 third quarterly meeting of regulators and asset owners.
Zabbey said women’s participation in the cleanup programme had increased significantly, rising from five per cent in 2023 to 45 per cent in 2026.
He said the development reflected HYPREP’s commitment to an inclusive and human-centred approach to the restoration of Ogoniland, as the cleanup programme marks its 10th anniversary.
According to him, the agency has recorded progress in land remediation, mangrove restoration, healthcare, potable water supply, electricity and skills development.
Zabbey also disclosed that the 43-bed Cottage Hospital in Buan had been completed, while construction of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital had reached about 80 per cent completion.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company Limited, Renaissance Africa Energy Company, as well as officials of the Federal and Rivers State Ministries of Environment, Water Resources, Health and Power.
Also in attendance were representatives of civil society organisations, academia and the media.
Participants commended HYPREP’s progress and reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration towards achieving the sustainable restoration of Ogoniland.
